Mounting means for sheet material



Aug- 23, 1966 A. B. HAMMITT 3,267,631

MOUNTING MEANS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 10. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 74 22N /6 24 Z2 74a ug- 23, 1966 A. B. HAMMxT-r 3,267,631

MOUNTING MEANS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April l0. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANDRE W 5. HAMM/T7 ATTORNEY United States Patent #il 3,267,631 MGUNTING MEANS EUR SHEET MATERIAL Andrew E. Hamrnitt, 909 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. Filed Apr. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 272,112 6 Ciaims. (Cl. 52-495) This invention relates to mounting means for securing glass or other panels in place in movable partitions, curtain walls, and elsewhere. The invention is directed particularly to constructions which are simple and economical to produce and assemble and which permit ready placement and firm mounting of a panel while at the same time rendering it possible to remove and replace one panel in an assembly Without disturbing other panels therein.

A great number of different types and styles of windowrnounting means have heretofore been produced for securing `a window or a pane of glass or other `types of panels in place in erecting a partition or other assembly. However, many prior mounting means have included sprung or snap-in elements which tend to lose their resiliency or which may become loose if rubber or felt gaskets, cushioning means or spacing members become compacted or reduced in thickness after long usage.

Other window or pane-l mountings are so constructed that it is diicult to slip a sheet of glass or other panel means into place and it frequently requires two men working on opposite sides of the partition or wall to assemble the mounting and spacing elements in place. It is also found in some cases that the loosening or removal of one window or panel in the assembly results in the loosening of an adjacent window or pane-l so that considerable work may be involved in erecting, removing or replacing a single panel in a partition.

Many prior window framing or panel mounting means also have had one or more relatively Wide or unsightly edges and they have not permitted the use of trim, color strips, or other architecturally desirable features.

In accordance with `the present invention, these objections and limitations of prior window and panel mounting means are overcome and means are provided which are simple in construction and capable of ready assembly by a single Workman to secure a Window or other panel firmly in place without loosening or displacing any other panel in the partition.

These advantages are preferably attained by providing a thread coupling structure which is located between the opposite faces of the partition vand engageable by threaded fasteners applied from either or both sides of the partition. Moreover, the construction serves to provide a frame for the window or panel which may extend about the entire periphery of the panel while presenting an open side for inserting and securing the glass or panel from one face of the partition.

The present invention further allows various types of conventional and modernized elements to be employed therewith or incorporated in assemblies embodying the present invention. As a result, a great variety of styles, types and designs of trim and architectural features can be employed so as to attain the most attractive appearance in any installation.

Accordingly, the principal objects of the present invention are to improve and simplify window or panel mounting means and the assemblies in which they are used; to decrease the cost, labor, and time required in mounting windows in partitions and elsewhere; and to 4provide a novel and attractive mounting means for windows, panels or the like which lends itself to varied architectural treatments and permits the use of various conventional elements or parts of partition assemblies which have been used heretofore.

These `and other objects and features of the present invention will `appear from the following description thereof wherein reference is made to the'gures of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a portion of a typical partition embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the partition assembly of FIG. 1 taken on the line 2 2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the assembly of FIG. 2 taken on the line 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the construction shown in FIG. 1 taken on the line 4--4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a .perspective illustrating the form of thread coupling member embodied in the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6` is a perspective illustrating a portion of the clamping member employed in the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustrating a portion of a spacing member embodied in the construction of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an assembly similar to that of FIG. 4 illustrating the upper horizontal assembly of the partition as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective showing a typical form of clip that may be used in the practice of the present invention.

In that form of the invention chosen for purposes of illustration in the drawings, the partition assembly as shown in FIG. 1 may embody uprights 2 and 4, a base assembly 5, panels of wall-forming material 6, 8, 9 and 10 together with a glass window 12 occupying the space above the wall-forming panel 8 below panel 9 and between the uprights 2 and 4. A ceiling assembly 13 may be employed when the partition extends to or near the ceiling of the space in which the partion is erected.

- The uprights 2 and 4 illustrated in FIG. 1 each include a vertically extending extruded aluminum strip 14 which is preferably of the type used in erecting partitions such as those shown in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,808,136 and 3,013,642. In a similar Way, the base assembly 5 and ceiling assembly 13 also may be of the types shown in said patents, whereas, window mounting assemblies 15 and 17, such as that shown in FIG. 4, extend horizontally above and `below the glass panel 12 as seen in FIG. l. Each strip 14 of the uprights 2 and 4 and horizontal assemblies 15 and 17 has a central channelled portion 16 adapted to receive the heads of bolts 18 that secure the elements of the uprights and horizontal members in place. Laterally projecting side portions 20 of the strips 14 extend in yopposite directions from the channel portion 16 and present outer surfaces 22 which may be flat, ribbed or otherwise formed in accordance with the architectural design desired in the partition. A closure strip 24 fits within the channel portion 16 and presents an outer surface which may -be flush with or complementary to the design of the adjacent outer .surfaces 22 of the strips 14. If desired, the outer surface of the closure .strip 24 may be anodized or given any color or appearance required to assure a neat and architecturally appealing assembly.

The inner surfaces of the side portions 2t) of the strips 14 are provided with longitudinally extending ribs `or gripping means 26 which are engageable with the sheets of wall-forming material `6, 8, 9 and 10 or with panelsupporting means such as the window mounting elements 28 of FIG. 4.

The strips 14 are `secured in place so as toV extend throughout the length -of the horizontal window mounting assemblies 15 and 17 and throughout the length of the vertical edges of the uprights 2 and 4. For this purpose, a securing member, such as the thread coupling member 39 shown in FIG. 5, is preferably employed. As there illustrated, the thread coupling member is provided with a body 32 having a longitudinally extending channel 34 Patented August 23, 1,966

2? provided on its opposite parallel faces with thread-engaging ribs 36 which extend lengthwise of the channel. The ribs 36 are preferably similar to those described and claimed in U.S. Reissue Patent No. 24,133, and are designed to receive and hold the threads of the bolts 18 which secure the strips 14 in place.

Each securing member 3i) further is provided with a leg 4t) which projects from one side of the face 42 of. the body 32 in the direction opposite to that in which the channel 34 faces. An outwardly extending side portion 44 is carried by the leg 42 and is formed on its inner face with longitudinally extending ribs or gripping means 46. The ribs 46 are preferably similar to the ribs or gripping elements 26 on the side portions 22 of the strip 14. The ribs 26 on one side of the side portions 22 of the strip 14 and the ribs 46 on the inner surface of the side portion 44 of the securing element 30 are, therefore, positioned so as to engage the opposite faces of the panels lof wallforming material 6, 8, 9 and 1t) adjacent the vertical and horizontal edges thereof. Accordingly, when the bolts 18are passed through openings formed in the base of the channel portion 16 of strip 14, they will engage the threadengaging ribs 36 in the channel 34 of the securing member 30. Thereafter, when the bolts 1S are tightened, they will draw the side portion 44 of the securing or thread coupling member 3U toward the corresponding side portion 2t) of the strip 14- to cause the gripping elements 26 and 46 thereon to dig into or xedly grip the marginal portions of the sheets `of wall-forming material 6, 8, 9 and 10 so as to hold them securely in place in the partition assembly.

In this way, two of the three members; namely, the strip 14 and the thread coupling member 30, are lixedly secured to eachother and to the sheets 6, 8, 9 and 10 of wall-forming material whereby they combine to form the uprights 2 and 4 and portions of the horizontal window mounting assemblies 415 and 17 which extend between the uprights 2 and 4. Moreover, the side portions 22 of the strips 14 in the uprights 2 and 4, and in the base assemblies 5, the ceiling assembly 13, and the horizontal assemblies and 17, cooperate to form a portion of a frame extending about the edges of the panels 6, 8, 9 and 11i and about the opening in which the glass panel 12 is to be inserted. The portions of the frame area thus provided have flanges or side portions 22 projecting inward on one face of the partition while lacking such flanges on the opposite face of the partition of the frame portions established by the side portions `22 of the strips 14 are, therefore, open toward one side of the partition to permit the ready insertion of a panel into the greater frame area thus provided.

In order to secure a panel of wall-forming material which is equal in thickness to the panel 6, such as the panels 8, 9 and 16 of FIG. 1, in place on the opposite side of an upright or horizontal assembly, the assemblies of the present invention are each provided with a clamping member 5t) such as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. The clamping member illustrated has a base portion 52, a leg 54 projecting from one side of the base portion, and a side portion 56 extending outwardly from the outer end of the leg 54. The base portion 52 of the clamping member 50 is designed to seat against the inner face 42 of the securing member 30 and, as shown, the engaging surfaces of the clamping member and securing member may be provided with intertitting or interlocking elements. Thus, ribs 48 extend lengthwise of the face `42 of the securing member; whereas, complementary ribs 58 extend lengthwise of the base portion 52 of the clamping member 50.

The side portion 56 of the clamping member 50 is provided on its inner surface with ribs 60 so that when the inner surface of the side portion 56 is positioned against the surface lof the sheet of wall-forming material S or 9, the ribs `60 thereon will engage the face of the sheet 3 or 9 adjacent the vertical edge thereof. When thus arranged, the side portion 56 of the clamping member 5@ will be positioned in opposed relation with respect to the side portion 22 of strip 14 which bears against the opposite surface of the sheet S or 9 adjacent the vertical edge thereof. Bolts 62 then may be passed through openings 63 formed in the base portion 52 of the clamping member and in the face 42 of the securing member so as to be threaded into engagement with the thread engaging ribs 36 in the channel 34 of the thread coupling lmember 3d. When the bolts 62 are thereafter tightened, the clamping member 5t) is drawn inward toward the thread coupling member 3G and will cooperate with the inner surface of the side portion 2t? of strip 14 to grip the edge of the sheet of wall-forming material 3 or 9.

In order to mount a window 12 or any other glass pane or panel of lesser thickness than the wall-forming panels 6, 8, 9 and 1t) in the partition assembly, the construction illustrated in FIG. 4 may be employed adjacent all four edges of the window panel 12. For this purpose, spacing members 23, such as that shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, may be used. These spacing members may be said to be C- shaped in cross section in that they are each provided with base portion 66, an outer side portion 68 and a spacing portion 70 with an inturned extremity 72. The outer side portion 68 of each spacing member is formed on its outer surface with ribs or holding elements 74`which are complementary with and designed to engage the ribs 26 on the inner surface of the side portions 2t) of strips 14 or the ribs 6G on the inner surface of the laterally extending portion 56 ofthe camping member 5t?.

The inwardly turned extremities 72 of the spacing members are designed to engage and compress a gasket, felt or other cushioning strip 76 extending about the edge of the glass panel 12.

The horizontal rails 15 and 17 are preferably constructed as shown in cross section in FG. 4 so as to extend along the upper edge of the panel S and along the lower edge of the panel 9 of wall-forming material to receive and support the lower and upper edges of the glass pane 12. The portions of the uprights 2 and 4 adjacent the vertical edges of the window opening are also formed in the manner as shown in FG. 4 so as to receive and hold the vertical edges of the glass pane 12 in place.

With this construction, the strips 14 and the thread coupling members 30 of the uprights 2 and 4 and the horizontal assemblies 15 and 17 may be secured to the panels of wall-forming material 6, 8, 9 and 10 so as to be installed and erected in place prior to the insertion of the glass panel 12. One laterally extending side portion 20 of each of the strips 14 embodied in the uprights 2 and 4 and one side 2t) each of the strip 14 of the horizontal assemblies 15 and 17 will thenproject inwardly adjacent the Window opening on one face of the partition. The side portions thereby cooperate to present flanges which constitute a window-supporting frame extending inward about all four edges of the window opening on one side only of the partition assembly.

Thereafter, when the window pane 12 is to be installed, the spacing members 28 which are to be located adjacent the inwardly extending frame-forming portions 20 of the strips 14 on one side of the glass panel are placed in position with the base 66 of each spacer strip 28 bearing against the adjacent surface of the channeled portion 16 of one of the strips 14 of the glass frame.

The glass panel 12 then can be inserted freely into the framed window opening from the side of the partition assembly opposite to that on which the strips 14 arelo` cated. rPhe panel of glass 12 with its marginal gasket or cushioning means 76 can, therefore, be placed directly in the framed window opening and against the inwardly turned extremities of the spacer strips 28 engaging the side portions 2d of the frame-forming strips 14. When thus inserting the glass panel 12, it is not necessary to resort to any lateral movement of the glass panel or the insertion of the edge of .the glass into any pre-existing slot or groove. As a result, there is no danger of crampt ing, forcing or sticking of the glass pane as it is inserted into place. Moreover, the glass panel 12 can generally be inserted and secured in pl-ace by a single Workman located on the side of the partition toward which the window framing opens.

After the glass panel 12 has been positioned in the window opening with its edges bearing against the spacing members 28 which engage the lateral portions 20 of the strips 14, the other spacing members 28 may fbe placed in engagement with the glass panel on the opposite side thereof to mount the window in place. Por this purpose, the base 66 of each spacing strip 28 is positioned in engagement with the adjacent surface of the previously `installed thread coupling member 38. The clamping members 58 are then inserted in positions wherein the ribs 58 on the base 52 of each clamping member engages the corresponding ribs 4S on the base 42 of each thread coupling member. When so located, the leg 54 of the clamping member projects outward adjacent the base 66 of the spacing member 28 and the ribs 60 on the laterally extending portion 56 of the clamp-ing member will engage and mate with the ribs 74 on the outer side of the spacing member.

After the elements have been assernfbled in this manner, the bolts 62 are passed through opening in the base 52 of each `clamping member 58 and in the base 42 of the thread coupling members 38 so as to engage the thread-engaging ribs 36 on the inwardly facing opposite side walls of the channels 34 of the thread coupling members. The bolts 62 then can be tightened as desired or necessary to compress the gasket or marginal sealing element 76 and assure the firm mounting of the glass panel 12 in place.

When the partition assembly has thus been erected, the cover strip 24 can be inserted into the channel 16 of the strip 14 to conceal the heads of the bolts 18 and a similar cover strip 88 can be inserted in the channel formed between the leg portions 40 and 54 of the thread coupling member 30 and the clamping member 50 so as to `conceal the heads of the bolts 62. The cover strips 24 and 80 may be of any desired configuration in cross section and of any desired color or design or appearance complementary to the adjacent laterally projecting portions of the uprights. Furthermore, while the cover strips lhave been shown to present louter surfaces which are Hush with the adjacent surfaces of the uprights, they may be countersunk or project outwardly and laterally over the adjacent surfaces or otherwise designed to present a novel and arohitecturally pleasing appearance.

If and when the glass panel 12 or any other panel in the portion is to be replaced, it can be quickly and easily removed without loosening or disturbing any other panels in the assembly. F or this purpose, the cover strips 80 are removed and bolts 62 unscrewed, whereupon the clamping members 50 (and in the case of the window 12, the adjacent spacing strips 28), are removed to permit removal of the panel, None of the other panels in vthe partition are thereby loosened and the partition is not weakened in any way since the other panels will be rigidly held in place by the bolts 18 engaging the strips 14 and thread coupling members 30.

It will, of course, be evident that the bolts 18 and 62 should be placed in alternate or vertically offset positions lengthwise of the thread coupling member although the body 32 of the thread coupling member and the depth of the ribbed channel 34 therein may be great enough in some instances to permit the insertion of the bolts 18 and 62 in alignment with each other especially if the bolts are relatively short.

When erecting partitions, curtain walls, or other building structures wherein the present invention is used, it is generally desirable to secure the strips 14 and the thread coupling members 30 to the panels of wall-forming material surrounding the Window opening in such a way that the laterally projecting portions 20 of one side of each of the strips 14 will be located on the exterior of the Window opening or on one side of the partition so that an open-sided frame for the glass window pane 12 will be presented. Furthermore, before the glazier inserts the window pane into the frame thus provided, the spacer strips 28 which are to be located on the outer side of the glass pane should be placed in position with the ribs 74 on the outer side portion 68 of the spacer strips in engagement with the ribs 26 on the inner exposed surface 22 of the strips 14.

In order to hold the upper horizontal assembly 17 and the panel 9 in place above the window opening and further in order to hold the vertical spacer strips 28 in place at the opposite sides of the window opening, it is desirable to use `retaining means such as the spring steel clip 86 shown in FIG. 9. The retaining means 86 has a reversely turned end 88 which is adapted to be placed over one side of the channel portion 34 of the thread coupling member 38 as shown in FIG. 8. The extremity 9i) of the reversely turned end 88 can then be placed between the bolts 18 and 62 and preferably has a sprung engagement with the ribs 36 on the inner side of the channel 34 of the thread coupling member. The opposite end of the clip 86 is reversely turned as indicated at 92 and is split to provide two oppositely extending extremities 94 and 96 which are adapted to receive and retain the base portions 66 of the spacing members 28 on opposite sides of the glass pane 12. In this way, the vertically extending spacer strips 28 at opposite sides of the window opening are held in place with respect to the assembled outer strips 14 and thread coupling member 30 of the uprights 2 and 4. These vertically extending strips 28 then serve to support the horizontal assembly 17, hold it in place above the window opening and in position to support the upper wall-forming panel 9. The clip 86 applied to the thread coupling member 30 of the upper horizontal assembly 17 also serves to support the horizontal spacing strip 28 in position above the window opening. As a result, the spacing strips 28 on the outer side of the window opening cooperate to form an open-sided frame into which the glass pane 12 and gasket 76 can be inserted whenever the glazier is ready to install the window.

The glazier obviously is the person who Will insert the Window pane 12 with its gasket 76 into the inwardly opening frame about the window opening. The spacer strip 28 on the inner side of the assembly then can be applied -by inserting the base portion 66 of the inner spacer strip 28 between the extremities 96 of the clips 86 and the adjacent surface of the body 32 of the thread coupling member 30 as shown in FIG. 4. The clamping member 5t) then can be secured to the thread coupling members 38 between bolts 62 to complete the assembly.

The construction thus provided renders it possible for the framing of the window openings to be completed by the contractor at any time, whereas, the installation of the glass window pane into the framed window opening can be accomplished at any time thereafter. Furthermore, the removal of the glass pane when it is broken or for any other purpose can be effected very easily by removing the cover strip 88 shown in FIG. 4 from the channel formed by the leg 48 of the thread coupling member 30 and the leg 54 of the clamping member 50. Thereafter, the bolt 62 and the clamping member 50 secured in place thereby can be removed to allow the adjacent spacing strip to be Withdrawn from the Window opening, The glass pane 12 with its gasket 76 can then be removed and a new window pane can be inserted in place while performing all of the operations necessary for replacement of the window from the interior of the curtain wall or one side of the partition in which the window is located.

It Will be apparent from the foregoing description that the uprights employed in the partition assembly need embody only three elements, each of which is preferably in the form of an extrusion formed of aluminum or other suitable material which is uniform in cross section throughout the length thereof. Furthermore, the thread coupling member of the present invention is designed and and capable of receiving and retaining bolts threaded into the ribbed channel from either side of the member. The bolts, as shown, are preferably arranged so that the heads thereof are concealed between cap strips. However, if and when desired, the strip ld, for example, can be a plain, hat strip of material with the head of the bolt exposed on the exterior of the strip instead of being housed within a channel as illustrated and described in the form of the invention shown in the drawings. It will also be understood that the bolt 62 or other means employed for urging the clamping member against the spacer 23 and the gasket 76 can be tightened as lrequired to assure the application of the necessary pressure to secure the glass panel firmly in place and to seal the glass panel about its edges so as to prevent leakage or crackin-g of the window due to distortion of the glass pane when securing it in the window frame.

It will further be apparent that the present invention can be employed in forming various assemblies other than partitions such as walls, exterior installations, and other structures embodying suitable or preferred types of panels or wall-forming materials.

In view thereof, it will be evident that the various elements of the present invention are capable of numerous modifications in their form, construction, combination and arrangement whereby a partition assembly allowing great flexibility and versatility in the use and arrangement thereof is afforded. it should, therefore, be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and described above is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A partition assembly comprising two sheets of material arranged with adjacent edges thereof parallel but spaced apart, and means for securing said sheets in fixed relative positions comprising two members each of which has a ange thereon, said flanges bearing against the op posite faces of one of said sheets of material adjacent said edge thereof, bolt-receiving means engaging means carried by one of said members and located in the space between the adjacent edges of said sheets, bolts extending through the other of said two members and into said boltreceiving means and serving to urge said iianges on said two members into clamping engagement with the opposite faces of the sheet which they engage, one of said two members having a second llange thereon extending into position to engage one face of the other of said two sheets in said assembly, a third member having a flange thereon extending parallel to said second flange and engaging the opposite face of the other of said two sheets, and bolts engaging said third member and the bolt-receiving means for urging said second flange and the flange on the third member into clamping engagement with the other of said two sheets.

2. In combination with substantially co-planar sheets of wall-forming material arranged with the adjacent edges of the sheets positioned in spaced parallel relation, means for holding said sheets in said positions comprising an elongated assembly embodying three cooperating members extending parallel to the adjacent edges of said sheets, a iirst member of said elongated assembly having a bolt receiving channel therein located in the space between the adjacent edges of the sheets of wall-forming material and having a flange thereon bearing against the face of one of said sheets adjacent the edge thereof, a second member of said elongated assembly being in the form of a clamping strip having a portion thereof located in the space between the adjacent edges of said sheets of wall-forming material and having a portion in the form of a flange bearing against the face of the other of said sheets of wall-forming material adjacent the edge thereof, the third member of said elongated assembly being in the form of a batteri strip having a longitudinally extending channel portion located in the space between the adjacent edges of the sheets of wall-forming mate-rial and having laterally extending side portions extending in opposite directions from said channel portion and bearing against the faces of said sheets of wall-forming material opposite to those faces engaged by the flanges on the rst and second members of said elongated assembly, and bolts extending through the second and third member of said elongated assembly into threaded engagement with the bolt receiving channel of said rst member of said assembly and serving to urge the flanges on the first and second members and the laterally extending portions of said third member into clamping engagement with said sheets of wall-forming material to hold said sheets in said positions.

3. An assembly comprising a sheet of wall-forming material, a pane of glass of less thickness than said sheet of wall-forming material positioned with an edge thereof extending parallel to, but spaced from, an adjacent edge of said sheet of wall-forming material, and means for securing said sheet of wall-forming material and said pane of glass in fixed relative positions comprising a strip of material extending parallel to the adjacent edges of said sheet and said pane of glass on one face of the assembly, said strip having laterally extending portions projecting beyond said adjacent edges on one face of the assembly so as to overlie marginal portions of said sheet and pane of glass along said adjacent edges thereof, a member provided with a channel portion located in the space between the adjacent edges of the sheet and pane of glass and having an outwardly extending side portion in position to overlie the marginal portion of said sheet of wall-forming material on the opposite face of the assembly, clamping means having a portion extending into said space and having a laterally extending portion projecting beyond the adjacent edge of said pane of glass on said opposite face of the assembly, bolts extending in one direction through said strip and having threaded engagement with inwardly facing side walls of the channel portion of said member, and other bolts extending in the opposite direction throughsaid clamping member and into threaded engagement with said inwardly facing side walls of the channel member, said bolts serving to hold the strip of material and the clamping means in retaining positions with respect to said sheet and pane of glass.

d. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein spacing members are located on opposite sides of said pane of glass between the glass and the adjacent laterally extending portions of said strip and clamping means.

5. A partition having a window opening therein and embodying sheets of wall-forming material presenting vertical and horizontal edges defining said window opening, a pane of glass located in said window opening and having its edges spaced from and adjacent to said edges of said sheets, and assemblies of elements forming uprights located on opposite sides of the window opening and between the edges of the sheet material and the ad* jacent edges of the pane of glass, a similar assembly of elements extending horizontally between said uprights and below said window opening between the horizontal edge of one of said sheets defining the window opening and the lower edge of said pane of glass, each of said assemblies of elements embodying a strip of material located on one face of the partition and extending parallel to the adjacent edges of said sheets `and pane of glass, said strip of material having laterally extending side por tions with one of said side portions overlying the marginal portionof one of said sheets of wall-forming material adjacent the window opening and the other of said side portions projecting beyond .an edge of said window opening and the pane of glass therein, each of said assemblies also embodying a thread coupling member provided with a flange overlying the marginal portion of one of said sheets of wall-forming material on the opposite face of the partition `and having a channel portion extending parallel to and positioned in the space between 'an edge of said pane of glass and the adjacent edge of one of said sheets of wall-forming material, and a clamping membe-r having a portion positioned in the space between the adjacent edges of said sheets and pane of glass and adjacent the channel portion of the thread coupling member and also having a laterally extending portion projecting inwardly so as to overlie the adjacent edge of said pane of glass, bolts extending in one direction through said strips and having a threaded connection with oppositely facing side walls of said channel portion of the thread coupling member, and other bolts extending in the opposite direction through that portion of the clamping Vmembe-r located adjacent the channel .portion of the thread coupling member and having a threaded engagement with said oppositely facing side walls of said channel portion to hold the pane of glass in place in said window opening.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein spacing members are located between one laterally projecting portion of each strip and said pane of glass and between the laterally extending portion of each clamping member and said pane of glass.

References Cited by the Examiner FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

E. J. WITMER, Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PARTITION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING TWO SHEETS OF MATERIAL ARRANGED WITH ADJACENT EDGES THEREOF PARALLEL BUT SPACED APART, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID SHEET IN FIXED RELATIVE POSITIONS COMPRISING TWO MEMBERS EACH OF WHICH HAS A FLANGE THEREON, SAID FLANGES BEARING AGAINST THE OPPOSITE FACES OF ONE OF SAID SHEETS OF MATERIAL ADJACENT SAID EDGE THEREOF, BOLT-RECEIVING MEANS ENGAGING MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND LOCATED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE ADJACENT EDGES OF SAID SHEETS, BOLTS EXTENDING THROUGH THE OTHER OF SAID TWO MEMBERS AND INTO SAID BOLTRECEIVING MEANS AND SERVING TO URGE SAID FLANGES ON SAID TWO MEMBERS INTO CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OPPOSITE FACES OF THE SHEET WHICH THEY ENGAGE, ONE OF SAID TWO MEMBERS HAVING A SECOND FLANGES THEREON EXTENDING INTO POSITION TO ENGAGE ONE FACE OF THE OTHER OF SAID TWO SHEETS IN SAID ASSEMBLY, A THIRD MEMBER HAVING A FLANGE THEREON EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID SECOND FLANGE AND ENGAGING THE OPPOSITE FACE OF THE OTHER OF SAID TWO SHEETS, AND BOLTS ENGAGING SAID THIRD MEMBER AND THE BOLT-RECEIVING MEANS FOR URGING SAID SECOND FLANGE AND THE FLANGE ON THE THIRD MEMBER INTO CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER OF SAID TWO SHEETS. 